If I could sit down with that 15-year-old kid with the long hair, I wouldn’t start by talking about money, success, or business.

I would probably put my arm around him and simply say:

“You’re going to make it.”

Because at 15, there were moments when life felt uncertain, unstable, and confusing. Growing up with loss, rejection, poverty, brokenness, foster homes, and the feeling of not fully belonging anywhere leaves scars that people cannot always see.

I would tell him not to allow pain to become his identity.

Yes, your father’s suicide will hurt deeply.

Yes, losing your mother will leave wounds that take years to understand.

Yes, there will be seasons where you feel abandoned, angry, embarrassed, and alone.

But your story is not over.

I would tell him that some of the very things that made him feel “different” would later become strengths.

The resilience.

The hunger.

The ability to connect with hurting people.

The determination to survive.

The desire to build something meaningful.

I would tell him not to become bitter.

Life will give you every excuse to become cynical, angry, selfish, or self-destructive. Don’t take the bait. You can either become a victim or a victor.

I would tell him to stay teachable.

Find mentors.

Read books.

Learn from successful people.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Success leaves clues.

And don’t be ashamed of humble beginnings. One day your story will encourage people who feel like giving up.

I would also tell him this:

“Stop worrying so much about fitting in.”

At 15, everybody wants approval. Everybody wants to be accepted. But trying to impress people is exhausting. The people who change the world are usually the people who become comfortable being themselves.

I would remind him that confidence is good, but humility is even better.

Listen more.

Learn more.

Don’t try to win every argument.

And definitely don’t think you know everything — because you don’t.

I would tell him that persistence will matter more than talent.

There will be moments where quitting feels easier.

Moments where people doubt you.

Moments where you doubt yourself.

Keep going anyway.

One day, that young teenager who felt forgotten and uncertain will help build businesses, lead thousands of people, write books, and encourage families around the world.

But more importantly, I would tell him this:

“Don’t chase success so hard that you forget to become a good man.”

Be kind.

Be generous.

Stay grounded in faith.

Help people.

Love your family well.

Because at the end of life, people will not remember you most for what you owned.

They will remember how you treated people and the hope you gave them.

And finally, I would look that 15-year-old kid in the eyes and say:

“The pain you’re going through now will not destroy you. One day, it will become part of the reason you can help others believe they can overcome their own odds too.”

Note: This blog was originally published on Jeff Lestz’s official website jefflestz.co.uk on 29/05/2026. You can explore more of Jeff Lestz’s blog articles here.